On Plagiarism

I'd like to preface this by saying that there's no reason this should even be a thing. The fact that this has already been caught TWICE is extremely disappointing to me, and the fact that I have to make a thread about it is even more disappointing.

We've amassed a gigantic cache of information on-site for Generation 4 over the past couple years, and most or all of it is extremely well-written. Because of this, SOME users have decided that it's a good idea to simply lift prose from these articles or analyses word for word instead of writing their own. This first happened in a series of LC Analyses, but has now been done in a large-scale guide which actually went on-site before it was noticed. (It has subsequently been taken down.)

I shouldn't have to say why this is so ridiculously unacceptable. We give privileges like Pre-Contributor and Contributor, as well as just being well-known for quality analyses on the forum. It's because of this that the theft of prose from analyses is such a problem. I personally find it extremely important that people not receive credit for lifting other people's work from OUR OWN SITE, and this goes double for articles, since they're weighted more when the time comes for rewards and the like.

I was lenient the first time this happened, but I'm done being lenient. If I have to hear from one more person that they noticed a "suspicious similarity" that turned out to be prose lifted directly from our own fourth generation pages, heads will roll.

So, if someone who wrote a lot of analyses, and was suddenly caught for plagiarizing, wouldn't it be a good idea to go through what they've done for 5th Generation that is also in 4th generation to see if those analysis's and articles were also plagiarized? Just a thought. Also, would that person still be able to write analysis's and articles or are they barred from doing so?

I think they'd still be allowed, but they won't be receiving credit for it. As firecape said, you won't be earning a badge anymore if you do this. I guess it is a good idea to check for more plagiarism in other analyses though.

Well, I don't really get the point of still letting them write anything for the site. I'm quite sure that the people who would actually go and plagiarize the work of someone else's here is doing the analses and articles way more for the badge, and not for the stastfication of having written something good, but thats just my view on it.

Smogon is a volunteer based site and if they decide that they are going to straighten up and fly right by writing original work they should have the right to. Something else that would be amazing if it were banned is the parading of your contributions in your signature imo. If you have contributed enough to earn a badge, you probably are going to be noticed regardless of obnoxious self advertising. Plus, some of the things that some people put in their sigs aren't even their original work and are just work that they had "taken over" for somebody who was no longer able to write the analysis. I think that should be considered plagiarism as well, but that's just my opinion...

Plagiarism is, by definition, taking others work as your own and not attributing it to them. Putting things in your signature is not plagiarism. Many people do it so people notice it and go to check in to make comments or suggestions. Aside from the fact that it'd be annoying to enforce, there's no real reason to ban the practice. Rest assured, we notice people's work regardless of how much they put in their signatures.

EDIT: There will be no discussion on the matter. Plagiarism is simply unacceptable. Anyone who plagiarizes will face consequences in addition to infractions.

Anyway, a site ban is a bit harsh but if a single user makes a habit of it I would be more than happy with a ban from C&C. And yes, it would definitely be grounds for removal or postponement of ALL C&C related badges. No question.

As for "making no sense in a fifth generation metagame" the metagames are closer together than you think. The Diglett analysis that was plagiarized was mainly because Diglett in LC does the same thing in Gen 5 that it does in Gen 4 (20 speed, decent type coverage, traps shit) and the sets are basically identical other than the Hone Claws set, which was added and written from scratch. This is the same for stuff like the BW Doubles article, where things like the difference between singles and doubles teambuilding are discussed, and really havent changed.

Sorry to be the opposing voice as usual, but this is pretty ridiculous. The punishment needs to be much stricter than "you might not get a badge!". Plagiarism is a pretty serious issue, especially since theres a possibility people may be plagiarizing from other sites. I think it should be worth an instant perma-ban if you're caught stealing material. At least now that it's in the rules it's worth an infraction but that doesnt go far enough IMO.

Wow. And I always thought that doubles article on the BW page looked strangely familiar. Parts like 'shooting yourself in your foot' and what not.

Plagiarism is a serious issue and really, gen 4 metagame might not be relevant to gen 5 meta, so its better to just write the analysis yourself. IMO anyone who is caught plagiarising should be perma-banned from C&C, seeing as they can no longer be trusted to write these.

I don't have much say but, I think somewhere (maybe in the formatting guide? idk) it should be made clear that, in terms of content, if something applies in Gen 4 and in Gen 5, it is okay to use it. But not be taken word-by-word. You have to write it up in your own words. I can't remember who it was, I think Gen. And he said it well, if lets say a set from gen 4 still applies, feel free to use it, but the description and everything has to be yours.

Also just to clarify, I just pushed the B/W Doubles through GP so I'm not at fault :3

There is now a special infraction for this offense, forever marking you for all mods to see. It lasts 90 days, for the duration of which you will have ICBB status, which prevents you from making new threads and editing posts.

Think again if you feel the temptation to steal other people's work...